Spending Time With Zale

When Zale's Tale first made its debut, I'd planned for a simple trilogy as Zale grew up into a merman over two decades. Since then, his story has blossomed into at least four parts with a possible spin-off. I've been quite busy editing this story as the main feature for the upcoming release of the Zale's Tale and Other Shorts Anthology. 

It's been quite an oceanic adventure.

Diving Into Some Soup

 

Last month, I submitted thirteen short stories/poems to three Chicken Soup for the Soul themes. It's been over four years since I tried. Nothing came of it. Even a few of my author friends attempted to get in at the time but didn't make it. I wasn't so sure I ought to pursue this path. However, after seeing a tweet about submissions from Black women, I tried again. This time, I experienced some success. Two of my stories have been chosen for the release of one of the themes later this year.

A great way to start 2021.

It's 2021. What now?

New beginnings are welcome, especially this year. However, it's tempered by the lingering traces of the previous year. My prayer and hope for improvements in human characteristics continue. I've been both happy and saddened by the things I witnessed. What I find interesting is how much of the turmoil blossomed in my writing, my therapeutic outlet.

Despite the cloud that hung over 2020, I released three novels that had been languishing in my queue for years. Now, I can focus on other stories itching to make their debut.

I wish you a Happy New Year. Let's see how we can make this year better than the last. 

NaNoWriMo2020 Fever

 Nine years after my first NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I participated again, this time to work on an anthology.

On November 1st, I published Danny R.O.S.S., the story I wrote during NaNoWriMo2011. After releasing my third book this year, I'd intended on taking a bit of a break. Instead, I signed up to writing 50K words in thirty days to encourage a friend during her first NaNoWriMo. This move proved to be a win-win as we both have successfully achieved our goals. What's interesting is that I crossed the 50K line on the same day as I did nine years ago--on the 27th.

Now, I get to spend 2021 editing all those stories. 😊

I did it! Three releases in one year.

 And what a year it has been. 

I remember planning out 2020 with the intention of relaunching Love's Intensity and publishing two stories, If It Kills Me and Danny R.O.S.S., both of which had been contracted previously with small house traditional publishers. With the closing of those companies, I was left with the decision to try other publishing houses or take the leap into self-publishing these manuscripts. This meant hiring editors and cover designers. Then, the stay-at-home order hit. 

I reassessed and forged ahead despite the unknowns swirling around me. I reached out to a few people, not knowing if they'd be up for working with me. Some said yes, and others said no. With additional pieces coming together, I said a prayer and planned out the release dates: 7/11, 9/21, and 11/1. Though this year has not been free of sickness for my extended family, I persevered. Staying focused helped me deal with the unsettling moods popping up around me.

I present to you my three 2020 releases. Check them out on Amazon and please leave reviews. They are much appreciated.

Danny R.O.S.S. Book Trailer

 Leave a comment to let me know what you think.

Behind the Scenes: Danny R.O.S.S.

Danny R.O.S.S. is a story about a Navy SEAL who lost his eyes during a failed mission. After being in a coma for six months, he wakes up in an unfamiliar place to find his damaged eyes had been replaced with robotic ones.

Inspiration / Muse:

The SEAL Team Six's successful mission on May 2, 2011 in Pakistan and the loss of elite Navy SEALs on August 6, 2011 in a fatal helicopter crash in Afghanistan acted as the fuel for my first and only (so far) Nanowrimo story. I wanted this Sci-Fi Adventure to serve as a tribute to the guys who face high-risk situations in service to their country every day and night, whether on land, in the sky, or under the waves of our seas.

Theme:

How does someone who's used to physical challenges and willing to go anywhere in an instant deal with an injury endured during battle? I've often wondered about this and have read books depicting the way in which many veterans deal with the new path their lives have taken. My compassion for them drives me to help organizations that supply desperately needed help to those who sacrificed their health so the rest of us can continue to pursue our dreams. This story touches a bit on the need to be useful and effective post injury despite the dreaded PTSD that clings to those who've been in combat.

Journey:

I'd just released A Beautiful Girl and had recently signed a contract for Love's Intensity (October 30th) when I learned about Nanowrimo, an event every November when each participant spends tons of time each day, beginning November 1st, to achieve at least 50,000 words by midnight November 30th. That's 1,667 words on average each day--no easy feat with a day job and two kids less than 12 years old. I didn't have an outline or even a story idea. With the recent events in the news, I figured I'd write an adventure book the likes of the Bourne Identity movies--a tall feat. With minimal research and a mental motion picture outline attempted in 2 days, I embarked on a typing frenzy the remaining 28 days. I was and am so proud of the 51,163 word count and my Nanowrimo winners badge. This novel has grown by almost 5K words since then. Wow! The past nine years of fixing up this novel for release has been quite the journey.

Meaning behind the cover:

With one rejection under its belt, Danny R.O.S.S. landed a contract. However, when that publisher closed, I submitted to another one, not expecting it to return to me unread because that publisher was closing down too. I'd decided to self-publish, then a pandemic closed down the world. Knowing some people didn't feel quite creative during this time, I had no idea whether I'd be able to get a cover done. None of the pictures I looked at quite matched what I had in mind. I was trilled when Kyle Lapinski said he'd accept the job.

Impact / Tribute:

I just want to say thank you to all the troops and their families for the many sacrifices you make so we can retain our freedoms.

Danny R.O.S.S. is planned for release on November 1, 2020 as a salute to the month during which it was created.

The thirteenth in the Behind the Scenes series is planned for a later date, so stay tuned.